New York is filled with stories this morning about how Giants QB Eli Manning will be the next $100 million quarterback. And there’s no doubt that Manning’s deal will be in that exclusive neighborhood. It’s just that he might not be next. San Diego’s Philip Rivers could beat him there.

Like Manning, Rivers also has one year remaining on his current contract. Like Manning, Rivers is part of the heralded QB class of 2004 that also includes Ben Roethlisberger, who signed an eight-year, $102 million deal that included $36 million guaranteed last offseason. In fact, Manning and Rivers were traded for each other on draft day, after the Chargers took Manning with the No. 1 overall pick and the Giants selected Rivers at No. 4.

Manning and Roethlisberger have Super Bowl victories, but Rivers does not. But no one can make the argument that Manning or Roethlisberger is any better than Rivers.

So Manning is expected to get his money this offseason, but Rivers could wind up getting it first. And the bottom line is that each of the marquee QBs from the Class of 2004 will become a member of the $100 million Quarterback Club.